Colourful and gigantic : Here are some of the coolest kites spotted this year at The International Kite Festival, Gujurat.
Kites have been around for a long time with origins tracing all the way back to ancient China in 5BC and were used for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. Benjamin Franklin even used it for attracting lightning and conducting electricity. Snap back to modern times and kite flying is enjoyed as a sport and leisure activity around the world in countries like China, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and even parts of Europe. India is the only one amongst them to have a festival in which the entire country participates in at least a day long (if not more in some parts) festival of flying kites. Every January 14 is marked on the calendar as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, the only Hindu festival to be celebrated according to the Gregorian (solar) calendar and not the Lunar Calendar.
Since 1989, Β the Gujarat (India) state government has been organizing an International Kite Festival on and around Uttarayan which is attendedΒ by people from at least 31 countries. From Kite flying masters to spectators, the festival has become a huge tourist attraction with tens of thousands of visitors arriving in the city of Ahmedabad and from quirky to artistic, we’ve picked out the best of this year’s kites in action.
1. Alien Invasion
(Courtesy : Instagram/@ssangeet19)
2. This tentacled ocean dweller looks right at home in the blue sky!
(Courtesy : @seenit.in)
3. Trying to get these giants to fly. #TheStruggleIsReal
(Courtesy : @ganatra_sagar)
4. When rainbows are too mainstream.
(Courtesy : @indian_festival)
5. Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!
(Courtesy : @mehtaravi)
6. How do you fly that thing?
(Courtesy : @mehtaravi)
7. Man Of Steel
(Courtesy : @mehtaravi)
8. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
(Courtesy : indiatoday.in/Samonway Duttagupta)
9. This beautiful tribal design.
(Courtesy : indiatoday.in/Samonway Duttagupta)
10. Love is in the air.
(Courtesy : PTI)
11. Looking sharp!
(Courtesy : PTI)
12. Take a look at this monstrosity!
(Courtesy : AP)
13.Two suns will rise today.
(Courtesy : AP)